Manchester United need to have a culture “at the heart of decision making,” says Owen Hargreaves as the class of 2008 compared to the 2025 group

This contrasts with the team that finished 15th in the Premier League last season, seeking a way to return to the top after a period of turbulent management and player changes.

However, it was difficult for Amorim and the club to kick players out as Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia were currently training far from the first team.

Discussing Amorim’s approach, Hargreaves said:

“He is clearly trying to change culture and he clearly needs to sell to reinvest the money.

“Looking back at the United teams I played (between 2007 and 11), I think I’m probably the best team I’ve ever had () (the most talented, successful, but there were great players, but I looked after each other and gave me a lot of respect.

“I think Reuben is trying to make a clear point because they had so many last season, and if you’re not everything, you’re not here.

“So it’s very difficult for those players. But again, you’re thinking how valuable a player Ghanacho is, Marcus goes on loan, or Sancho, Antony, you’re talking about a player worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

“And they don’t intend to fit into the puzzle, which is shameful to them because I actually really like them all.

“But Reuben had a clear attitude and said, ‘If you’re not everything, you’re not here.” And I think it was very clear.

“And I think culture needs to be at the heart of decision-making at Man United.”

The cultural reset, supervised by Amorim, has clearly moved on to the players, and Diogo Dalot definitely tells them that they need to “conform to the standards.”

“He makes it very clear in his message that you want to be part of the team or that you’re not here,” the Portuguese defender said.

“If you want to be at Manchester United, you need to match some criteria. If you can’t match that, that’s not the place for you. The message is really clear.”

And while Lukeshaw was open about the vibe recently during United’s preseason tour, it was another thing to hear positive notes before the new campaign began.

“It’s very toxic and the environment. It’s not healthy at all.

“We need a healthy environment, it is positive, has good energy and happiness.

“When you have all of them, you feel free and you express yourself more on the pitch. Things come together, especially this pre-season, we feel us as a team, the bonds are growing.

“In my time here, it feels like I’m probably the closest I’ve got on the team. I think the atmosphere is really good and very positive. Hopefully it can last.”